@NEPatsGirl what didn’t she like about the Scribner seminar? The way they make it sound, they give the students different choices, to find one they’d be interested in.
There are many choices but with a tight schedule those choices are limited of course. It was more that she (and I) felt it was a filler class, unnecessary to most majors/minors. I believe some of its purpose is to unite freshmen in a singular topic to help with the college transition. These are things that you find in a LAC I guess, promoting that well-rounded education. There is also an arts requirement and a few others that some might consider unnecessary but we knew it going in so…
We too were concerned with the higher level classes in the sciences. My daughter was recruited by several schools and fell in love with Skidmore during her visit there. I was concerned that the BA in science would not give her as much as a BS would. So my little firecracker contacted all the schools she might apply to as a graduate student to ask what they look for. They said the degree type didn’t matter as long as she had the required courses and then listed them. She took the list and called the head of the biology at Skidmore to ask about them and was told they were absolutely available to her but it was up to her to make sure they got into her schedule. She had a wonderful conversation with him and it sealed the deal (for us). She is looking forward to the arts requirement as a break from all the science requirements and looks at it as a fun time to get to know classmates. She was concerned about ending up in a dance class with dance majors or a music class with musicians but was assured that she would not have to worry about that. She can’t wait to get on campus!!!
That’s great Britsmum. I truly believe that Skidmore will work with their top STEM students to make sure they can get the classes they need. As a side note, my daughter took Guitar for her arts class the first semester to get the requirement out of the way. She had a lot of fun and it was a good way to get five classes in right away and still keep the schedule manageable. If she is not able to look up available courses on their website before admittance, let me know and I’d be happy to research anything for her.
Thanks so much!!!
Hi all. This great discussion prompted me to register. My daughter got EDII acceptance last week and is very excited. Although we live in California now, I grew up just south of Saratoga near Albany and know the area well. Ironically, most of my daughter’s applications were to Upstate NY schools. So glad she chose Skidmore.
Congratulations to your daughter. Wow, long way from home…nice that you know the area well.
Anyone have any thoughts on the substance free housing option at Skidmore? anyone know anything about it? Thanks
@NEPatsGirl does!
Thanks lauriejgs 
Yes, my D is in the substance free dorms (Howes/Round). She really hasn’t mentioned too much about the partying scene (or lack thereof) at Skidmore so I can’t really comment other than to say her room would have been perfect had it not been a triple, like most are the first semester. Nice room, nice closet space, 10’ window seat overlooking the green in front of the dining hall, absolutely perfect view. But she moved to get a single, still substance free, but a view off the backside. I can’t expand on how its different from the other dorms, I don’t know that there is alot of partying going on, I certainly haven’t seen anything on my few visits, but it is college so…
So she hasn’t expressed any regrets? My daughter is super social and is not much into party scene. She knows it’s gonna be a tough balance as science major and athlete. Does your daughter have any concerns about substance free being socially limiting?
Has anyone been to a Parents Weekend yet? Do they put on a good schedule?
@Britsmum, no regrets at all. In fact, she only took the single because it was still in the substance free dorms. D isn’t very social so that’s not an issue but she is very anti-drugs and alcohol (yeah, not a great stance at college, lol) so it works for her.
Remember, the campus is small and its easy to get around. I don’t think there’s really that much difference where you reside quite honestly but substance free = quieter and that’s a big sell for students who are really studious and/or need a lot of quiet time for whatever reason.
@SBegonia, I opted out of parents weekend for several reasons but topping that list was l) hotels were charging triple that of other weekends and 2) the schedule was skinny. D’s bio Dad and stepmother did go up but said the three of them spent most of their time off-campus so that really defeated the purpose. I have heard from other parents that some of the events were quite nice.
Thanks NEPatsGirl!
Hi @Britsmum, yes my son is on the 2020 FB page and is loving it! He says so far the kids are super interesting and it has made him so happy he is going in the fall. Has your daughter managed to find it?
@SBegonia, my S got in ED2 as well and we also live in S. California. My son and I discovered Skidmore last March on his junior year LAC tour. Skidmore was by far his favorite school. This was after Vassar, Amherst, Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, Trinity and Bard. Although he liked most of those schools, Skidmore was the stand out college and the one in which he felt he fit in the best. We are so happy to be sending him to the school he loves. Best of luck to your daughter and perhaps we will meet some family weekend. We are very excited about Saratoga Springs in and of itself.
Yes my daughter was admitted to the facebook page and is enjoying it also. At the moment they are trying to plan a get together for massachusetts students. I’m so happy for her. I’m so happy for me too. Hubby and I planning lots of Saratoga springs weekends to watch the swim meets.